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AN IMPRESSIVE CIVIL WAR LETTER GROUPING, consisti

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AN IMPRESSIVE CIVIL WAR LETTER GROUPING, consisting of 140 letters written by Union Soldier William Coffin, Co. "C" 39th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment, together with other related items. The overall scope of the letters covers Coffin's entire enlistment period beginning with the first letter written from Camp Heron (Iowa) dated October 30, 1862 and concluding with his last letter written from Washington D.C., dated June 2, 1865 following his participation in the grand review on Pennsylvania Avenue. In the year 2000 the collection of letters was published as a book under the title "Love Letters from the Civil War" by John & Donna Chapman (great grandson and granddaughter in-law of William Coffin. The book begins by recounting how great grandson John B. Chapman remembered how as a young child he would explore the small wooden chest stored beneath his grandparents stairwell that contained the cache of letters as well as old photographs and other related items, all of which, including the wooden chest, are included in this lot. The 134 page book reproduces in chronological order all 140 letters and is also illustrated with a number of post civil war images of William Coffin and his family. The letters themselves are each contained in a protective plastic sleeve, together with a typed transcript and held within its own folder. About 20% of the letters are accompanied with the original envelope all of which have the stamp clipped off. Most of the letters are written in ink and most are in good readable condition, whereas a few are slightly faded and only one damaged. Letters are of various length and written on both single and double sheets of mostly standard lined stationary with a few being written on patriotic stock. For the most part Coffin's letters would be classified as average or above average in the genre of Civil War letters. They are almost all written to his wife Rachel. His writing style is very direct and somewhat provincial and his use of metaphor and or colorful adjectives and cleaver phraseology is somewhat limited. Nevertheless, the letters clearly show a sincere empathy for the plight of the "negro" a topic which is taken up in a more than a few sentences: May 23, 1863, Our negro soldiers are learning to drill very fast. They turn their whole attention to it. They are keen on getting to the rebs. They have great confidence in their selves. I don't know how they will do but I believe they will do good." Corinth Mississippi, August 3, 1863, "I was at a negro meeting last night and heard a very good sermon. They conduct their meetings in a very proper manner. Tennessee, November 24, 1863, "The negro's are the only people in this country that we can depend on. There are some good white men but we can't tell who they are all the time." December 1863 "I am going over to a negro meeting today. We don't have meetings very regular here lately. There is no suitable place to accommodate very many. I expect the folks up there call me an abolitionist, if they do all right. It is an honor to be called an Abolitionist to what it is to be a copperhead. I claim to be a full blooded Abolitionist now. I fully endorse the President's emancipation proclamation under the present circumstances and think all loyal people will do the same have they seen what I have seen. I want to see the negroes free and fighting their masters til they come to honorable terms of peace. I would rather die here and leave an honorable name for you and the children than to live a thousand years a copperhead and disgrace the coming generations." Coffin's letters also mentions accounts in good detail of various military engagements he witnessed or was directly involved including a good account of the battle of Resaca and pursuit of Confederate Maj. General Joseph Johnston. As well as a nice letter regarding the Battle of Allatoona with mention of Confederate General John B. Hood and Union Maj. General William T. Sherman. He also writes about the qualities or lack thereof regarding junior officers he encounters as well as punishment (death by firing squad) for fellow Union Soldiers who desert. He also reflects on his feelings in having actually killed three Confederate soldiers. This lot also includes the following: 3 War period photo images of Coffin including a cased 9th plate bust portrait tintype in uniform (illustrated), a 6th plate tintype in uniform (illustrated), a 6th plate tintype standing in uniform (with excessive losses) and a partially cased 6th plate tintype presumable of his children. Also a nice albumen print depicting Coffin in an outdoor group photo in a GAR encampment, circa 1895. Plus, a vintage copy of the book "Eighteen Months a Prisoner Under the Rebel Flag" by Samuel S. Boggs, Co.E. 21st ICC, published in 1889. Additionally, a circa 1910 cabinet card photo of Coffin, two GAR uniform buttons, a wood handled fork, three pocket knives, Coffin's death certificate dated February 14, 1927 and the original handmade wooden box which contained the letters and memorabilia offered in this lot for over 130 years as well as copies of the book "Love Letters from the Civil War" Estimate $5,000-$6,000

The items sold are often of considerable age and will exhibit wear, usage and damage often NOT LISTED IN THE DESCRIPTION. The absence of condition remarks in the description DOES NOT mean the item is in perfect condition. Please note that Jackson's is pleased to provide our opinion of the condition of items offered for sale upon request. This service is provided for guidance only, without legal obligation. All lots are sold AS IS and there will be NO RETURNS BASED ON CONDITION. Subsequently, if a prospective buyer has not examined the property to their satisfaction before the sale, or his/her agent has not inspected the property, JACKSON'S RECOMMENDS THAT THEY NOT BID ON THE PROPERTY. Again, prospective buyers are in ALL CASES responsible for determining the physical condition of lots as there are NO RETURNS based on condition.

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